London is a great place to study or start a career…as long as you don’t look too closely at your savings account! Thankfully, a number of shows and organizations operate discount ticket schemes for students and young adults, with some tickets to big-name shows available for £10 or less. Read on to find the current shows offering young-adult tickets, and snag a pair for yourself and a friend.
Not blessed with the gift of youth? Check out our lottery and rush tracker for cheap tickets for all ages!
Current Shows
Last Updated: 26 December 2025
Ongoing Programs
Many of these schemes require registering with the theatre or organization – but once you’re signed up, you can easily book tickets to upcoming shows, and sometimes snag other deals as well. Read on to learn more!
National Theatre (Under-25s)
A true national treasure, the NT puts on over a dozen shows a year across its three stages, from classic plays to commissioned works. Young person’s tickets are just £10 for 18-25 year olds, and just £5 for those aged 16-17. Find out more and book tickets here.
Now Booking: Les Liasons Dangereuses, Summerfolk
Royal Shakespeare Company (Under-25s)
Despite the name, the RSC puts on more than just Shakespeare – but no matter the production, you can get tickets for £10 by signing up for their ticket scheme here. Anyone aged 14-25 is eligible, and the discounts apply to shows both in London and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Now Booking: Matilda The Musical, My Neighbour Totoro
Young Barbican (Under-25s)
The Barbican offers a variety of shows, concerts, movies, and more – and you can get tickets for all of it on the cheap by joining their Young Barbican program. Tickets to full-scale productions cost £15 or less, while cinema tickets are just £5 when you join the scheme. Sign up or learn more here.
Royal Ballet & Opera (Under-25s)
It’s what it says on the tin – fine productions of ballet and opera, hosted at the sumptuous Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Join the Young RBO program here to get £30 tickets to a variety of productions.
Young Bridge (Under-25s)
Nestled on the south bank of the Thames right by Tower Bridge, the compact Bridge Theatre is known for hosting innovative in-the-round productions. Sign up here to get tickets to productions for as low as £7.50.
Now Booking: Into the Woods
Almeida Theatre (Under-25s)
A compact theatre in Islington with powerful producing pedigree, the Almeida is a great place to see new stagings up close. Tickets to all their shows are a mere £5 (and sometimes free) for those under 25 – learn more here.
Now Booking: Christmas Day
Sadler’s Wells (Under-30s)
Sadler’s Wells puts on dance productions of all genres, as well as dance-adjacent works such as musicals and variety acts. Tickets are £10 for 16-30 year olds who sign up for their free Dance Pass.
English National Opera (Under-35s)
You might not think that a 35 year old is a “young adult”, but the ENO sure does! Discounted tickets ranging from £15-£35 are available for 21-34 year olds here. Under 21? You can visit the opera for absolutely free – now that’s a deal.
Donmar Warehouse (Under-35s)
Donmar produces up to six new shows each year at their intimate Covent Garden theatre. Don’t be fooled by the size, though – these shows are often star-studded, meaty productions, with many transferring to the West End or elsewhere (the recent staging of Next to Normal springs to mind). 16-35s can find out more and sign up here.
Now Booking: Evening All Afternoon
Twopenny Theatre 